Page:The Cross Pull.pdf/114

 He revelled in the knowledge that his lovely mistress was pleased with him. At the same time he fully realized her distaste for this latest contribution. He knew that she relished some of the meat he had brought. Evidently she did not care for this kind. He was not critical of her tastes. She should have the kind she chose.

To his mind the animal world was divided into two classes as far as food purposes were concerned. The first and by far the most important included the meat of all large animals. The second included all small animals and birds. Of this division there were some few whose meat he did not like and which only starvation would have driven him to touch.

His mistress seemed to prefer meat that came from the smaller species. For the next two days he hunted tirelessly as he had for Silver and the pups. The den must be supplied with meat.

The girl was between laughter and tears at the growing assortment of game he brought to the cabin. Grouse, rabbits, woodchucks, a marten, a packrat and a whole family of little striped chipmunks were included in the list of small creatures whose lives were sacrificed through his love of her.